Our guide will greet you outside the baggage claim area of the airport and transfer you to check in the hotel. Upon arrival, you may feel a little bit uncomfortable at 3,650 meters high altitude. It is suggested that you avoid strenuous activities and have a good rest at the hotel today.

Meals: No meals, advice freely available

Day 2 Lhasa

Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka Park. (B+L)

Our client in front of the Potala PalacePhoto by Jan and Eduardo Ferrada

Today, you will firstly go to visit the Drepung Monastery in the west of the city. Constructed in 1416, it has been the largest Tibetan Buddhist Monastery with seven splendid palaces and over 10,000 monks. During the Shoton Festival around every August, hundreds of thousands of disciples and travelers will assemble here to worship the 40-meter-long and 37-meter-wide Buddha painting which is to be gradually unfurled on the back mountain.

In the afternoon, you are going to the Sera Monastery, another greatest monastery of Gelugpa in Tibet. Finally, you could enjoy a quiet time in the charming Norbulingka Park. Originally one of the political centers of Tibet, it is now the largest and most beautiful man-made park opened to public.

As the landmark of the city, the Potala Palace does deserve your visiting this morning. Looking like a red and white castle on the mountain, the Potala Palace has played a vital role in polity and religion of the area during the 1,300 years since constructed. Then you will arrive at Tibet Museum where the mysterious local culture and Buddhism are displayed by plenty of excellent historical collections.

After lunch, there is a visit to the Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Street around the temple. Enjoying the same fame with Potala, Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet, attracting a great number of worshipers every day. Affiliated to the temple, the Barkhor Street which keeps its ancient appearance has been a prosperous commercial area both for locals and travelers. The last destination today is A Nunnery.

After breakfast, we will drive you southwards to Gyangtse which is located about 230 kilometers from Lhasa. On the way, you will drop in at the Karola Glacier and Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, which is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet and located 4,441 meters above sea level. The crystal and quiet lake under pure sky is praised to be a graceful beauty in the arm of the magnificent Himalayas.

After arriving in Gyangtse, you will go to visit the Palkhor Monastery and explore the unsophisticated Gyangtse Old Street. In the Palkhor Monastery, you could see a huge Tibetan tower which consists of hundreds of halls in layers and houses 10,000 Buddha figures. Then, your trip will be continued to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet, and check in the hotel.

Today, you will head for the grand Tashilunpo Monastery on mountain. With red wall and golden roof, this luxury monastery has been the political center in the region of back Tibet. To the south of the monastery, there is the New Palace of Panchen which was constructed in 1954 to be a summer resort. Combining the traditional and modern architectural style, the palace exhibits many historical relics, artworks and murals. After that, departing from Shigatse and passing by Sakya and Lhatse, you will visit the Sakya Monastery, which is the Sakyapa Sect's principal monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, and then explore Lhatse County, a fertile land with developed agriculture and praised to be the bread basket of Shigatse region. Upon arrival in Dingri, a picturesque small town at the north foot of mid-Himalayas, you will check in the best local hotel for a 1-night stay.

The most exciting moment of your private journey is coming today. From Dingri, we will drive you to the 5,200-meter high Everest Base Camp. The astonishing snow mountain and changeful cloud will be in your touch.

Besides, you will stroll around the Rongbuk Monastery located 5,150 meters above sea level, the world highest monastery. The monastery is small in size, but it has many colorful and lively murals as well as the mildest atmosphere. After visiting, a 6-hour drive will take you to Shigatse. Check in the hotel upon your arrival.

Meals: Buffet breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 Shigatse - Lhasa

Shigatse-Lhasa transfer, A Tibet family if time permits. (B+L)

The road condition from Shigatse back to Lhasa is not bad. Again, you could have a glance at those scenic villages, mountains and streams en route. Please ease yourself during this 400-kilometer's private driving. If time permits, you will visit a family to experience the local's daily life.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Departure

Hotel-airport transfer & see you off. A pleasant onward trip! (B)

Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport for your return flight. Wish you a pleasant trip home!